It is always nice for your program to get top notch recruits to sign with your school on National Signing Day. It makes it even better when these recruits were invited to one of the most prestigious camps for High School football players, showing that they were able to train with the best of the best. That event would be The Opening Finals. The Opening official twitter account sent out a tweet earlier this week showing the schools that inked the most kids that attended the renowned event. This list includes: 1. UGA 2. OSU 3. Miami 4. USC and Notre Dame 6. Texas. We’ll break down these commitments and take the top 3 impact players from each school to see what makes each of these recruits so special.
#NSD18 facts – schools with the most signees from the 2017 #TheOpening Finals:
1. @FootballUGA #GoDawgs🐶 – 12
2. @OhioStateFB #GoBucks⭕️ – 11
3. @CanesFootball #TheU🙌 – 10
4. @USC_Athletics #FightOn✌️- 9
@NDFootball #GoIrish 🍀 – 9
6. @TexasFootball #HookEm🤘- 8— The Opening (@TheOpening) February 7, 2018
Georgia Bulldogs
Justin Fields – Kennesaw, GA – #1 DUAL QB
Fields had one of the most impressive highlight tapes in the 2018 class. He has a knack for making big plays, whether it be through the air or with his legs. Fields’ commitment will have the Bulldogs in National Title contention for years to come.
Brenton Cox – Stockbridge, GA – #2 SDE
This stud defensive lineman is going to be a workhorse for the Bulldogs. At 6’5 and 250 lbs, he has an non-stop motor and is incredibly quick for someone that size. He will give SEC offensive line fits and will demand some double teams in a few years. The UGA defensive line is stacked, but we still expect Cox to find his way in the two deep. The scary part is that he still has room to grow.
Tyson Campbell – Plantation, FL – #2 CB
Campbell has good length for a defensive back and has great natural instincts for a high school player. At 6’2 and 180 lbs, his combination of size and speed help him blanket them field. The fact that he entered HS as a WR shows as he has excellent ball schools for a corner.
Ohio State Buckeyes
Tyreke Johnson – Jacksonville, FL – #2 Safety
Tyreke Johnson can play either man to man coverage or as a center fielder for the Buckeyes. He is a solid tackler that won’t shy away from contact. Johnson will come in and be elite for the Buckeye defense.
Taron Vincent – Bradenton, FL – #1 DT
At 6’2 and 285 lbs, Taron Vincent is one of the most athletic defensive lineman in the 2018 class. He beats his opponents with sheer power and his speed off of the snap. Taron will be wreaking havoc on Big 10 defenses for years to come. Also, fair warning to Buckeyes fans, prepare to hear the story of Taron being the son of Troy Vincent for the next few years on gamedays.
Jaelen Gill – Westerville, OH – #2 APB
Gill has the breakaway speed to take it to the house from anywhere on the field. He is extremely elusive as his East-West speed is elite. He is only 182 lbs right now, but he has the length to add a little more weight at the next level.
Miami Hurricanes
Lorenzo Linguard – Orange City, FL – #2 RB
At around 6 feet and 190 lbs, Linguard has the ability to come in and make some plays for the Hurricanes in year one. He will serve as a workhorse in the Miami offense.
Brevin Jordan – Las Vegas, NV – #1 TE
Brevin Jordan is elite as a pass-catcher and a blocker, as well. He will fit right in Mark Richt’s offense at Miami. Richt is known for having success with TEs, and Jordan will be the next one that he sends to the league.
Nesta Silvera – Ft. Lauderdale, FL – #2 DT
Silvera was widely viewed as one of the most disruptive defensive lineman in the Army All-American Bowl. He uses his hands well to fend off offensive lineman and his strength seems to make it easy. We expect Nesta to be the headliner of what is turning out to be a brick wall of a defensive line for Miami.
USC Trojans
Amon-Ra St. Brown – Santa Ana, CA – #2 WR
Amon-Ra comes from a family of ballers, like his brother Notre Dame WR Equanimeous St. Brown, and it seems that he might end up being the best one. St. Brown has clearly established himself as one of the top tier playmakers in the 2018 class. He is a natural pass-catcher and is probably the best route runner in the class. Amon-Ra will likely immediately see the field on offense for the Trojans, but at the very least, we expect for him to take over punt and kick return responsibilities.
Palaie Gaoteote – Las Vegas, NV – #1 ILB
Although St. Brown may have been the top recruit in the Trojan’s class, we believe the Palaie might be the best overall prospect. The talented ILB stands at 6’2 and 235 lbs and could have suited up for any college team last season with his size and speed. It is hard to find any flaws with his game, as he can drop back into coverage or lay the wood in the run game.
Olaijah Griffin – Mission Viejo, CA – #3 CB
Trojan fans should get used to this storyline: Olaijah Griffin is the son of rapper Warren G. We’re sure you’ll hear it plenty of times on game days. Especially because you will be seeing a lot of Griffin on the field. Olaijah is a shutdown corner with the ball skills and toughness to blanket any receiver he is asked to cover. He has great agility and top end speed, which will serve him very well.
Notre Dame Fighting Irish
Houston Griffith – Bradenton, FL – #11 CB
There isn’t much to not like about this kid. Griffith is a workhorse off the field and his offer list shows as he could have gone to any school in the nation. At 6’1 and 200 pounds he is a scrappy corner that will knock you on your butt. Expect him to see the field early and often for the Fighting Irish.
Jack Lamb – Temecula, CA – #4 ILB
Lamb is one of the most versatile linebackers in the nation for the 2018 class. He could play inside or outside and could really fit any scheme that he is playing. Lamb is 6’4 and 220 lbs and is extremely speedy for that size. He is very strong in coverage, but he can also rush the QB.
Kevin Austin – Pompana Beach, FL – #14 WR
Austin has all the intangibles to make him a top WR in the nation. His work ethic, leadership, and playmaking ability will make him a fan favorite as soon as he suits up for the Fighting Irish. Austin particularly excels in deep and intermediate routes as his size at 6’3 and 200 lbs allows him to manhandle most defensive backs that are asked to cover him.
Texas Longhorns
Caden Sterns – Cibolo, TX – #1 Safety
It is amazing that the Texas Longhorns were able to reel in 3 of the top 6 safeties in the 2018 class. Sterns has the ability to come in and be a playmaker right off the bat. He has elite ballskills for a safety and is a gym rat that will come in and work his tail off immediately.
B.J Foster – Angelton, TX – #3 Safety
Foster alongside Sterns will be a sight to see for the next few years. Foster has incredible speed and is a hard hitting safety that will punch you in the mouth. Longhorn fans can’t wait to see him in the Burnt Orange.
Jalen Green – Houston, TX – #6 CB
Green’s best asset is probably his length, allowing him to deflect passes that most corners can’t. His confidence will bring a spark to the Longhorns defense. Not only does Green think he is the best player on the field, he has the game to back it up.
